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Addiction recovery group holds public info forum Saturday by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 17 | Friday, April 1, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com An Oakville addiction/recovery awareness group will hold a community forum Saturday (April 2) to help people understand the level of drug and alcohol dependence in the area and what help is available. Philip Carver, founder of Raise Oakville, said while the problem of addiction is a hidden one within the town, it is present. "There are 40 plus recovery-based meetings a week in Oakville," he said. "There is obviously an issue." The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to noon, will be held at Film.ca Cinema, 171 Speers Rd., and feature a variety of speakers from diverse areas of the Oakville community. These speakers will discuss their experience, programs/groups, efforts and concerns about the community. Scheduled presenters currently include representatives from: · Alcoholics Anonymous; · Narcotics Anonymous; · Outreach/Advocacy Groups; · A retired Toronto Police officer in recovery from alcoholism; · Al-ANON/ALA-TEEN; · Church/ministries with Recovery Groups; · A family member with lived experience; · A person with lived experience. The event is open to the general public and This is for people who are seeking answers, either for themselves or people they know or just those with some general curiosity. We want to provide information about what the programs are, but there will be a few people who will talk about their personal experience. Raise Oakville founder want some questions answered. "This is not a normal conversation that takes place at the dinner table and it should be," said Carver. "It's the same issue that has been going on in the media and the school's with sexual health. People fear that increased information equals increased risk and we are here to say that is not true. Get that information. You may be protecting yourself. We are trying to encourage parents to come to this event with their teens so they can embark on that conversation together in our environment." Raise Oakville is an independent group, which seeks to raise awareness of recovery/ addiction issues in the community. Philip Carver not designed exclusively for people in recovery. "This is for people who are seeking answers either for themselves or people they know or just those with some general curiosity," said Carver. "We want to provide information about what the programs are, but there will be a few people who will talk about their personal experience.... There may also be a few people in the community speaking about their concerns and posing some open-ended questions that will become the discussion." Residents are invited to stay, mingle, collect pamphlets and information, and connect with resources supportive of recovery. Carver said the event could also be of help to families with teens who may be at risk of addiction or who have children who simply CREATE YOUR DREAM h t a B r o n e Kitch ONS ! CO U P BACK ARE April y1 1 ­ Ma I N - ST ORE Heavy-duty outdoor timers ENERGY STAR ® certified $ 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE | QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP | CUSTOM DESIGNS Call for a Free Estimate 905-844-3332 Visit our showroom: 333 Wyecroft Rd. Unit 3, Oakville OFF OFF OFF Meet the Energy Experts at all Oakville locations of The Home Depot. April 9-10 & 23-24 to get advice and learn about other conservation programs OakvilleHydro.com/coupons 4 LED bulbs $ 3 8 36 $ TO TO Indoor motion sensors www.aromakitchens.ca Subject to additional terms and conditions found at oakvillehydro.com/coupons. Save on Energy is powered by the Independent Electricity System Operator and brought to you by Oakville Hydro. OMOfficial Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under licence.